Google Sticks Up for Privacy, Disables Uploads on YouTube Korea
Google has disabled both uploads of videos and comments on the Korean version of YouTube after the South Korean government tried to enforce a new law which requires web sites with at least 100,000 users to verify the person's real name if they upload files or leave comments. The Cyber Defamation Law, as it's called, went into effect on April 1st. According to officials at the Korea Communications Commission (KCC), the country's broadcasting and telecommunications regulator, the law is an attempt to quell the cyber-bullying and spread of misinformation on the internet. However, critics say that it's just another example of the Lee Myung-bak government's overzealous efforts to monitor and control cyberspace.
The new requirements for web sites were rushed into legislation after the death of a popular Korean actress, Choi Jin Sil, who was driven to suicide after a series of online rumors and threats. Since people now have to submit their real name when uploading content, the government hopes this will cut down on the problem of cyber-bullying in the country.
Or perhaps that's just what they want you to believe, say critics. The Korea Times, for example, notes that it's more likely that the government is simply continuing its crackdown on free speech. Already they have been "repeatedly attacked by bloggers," the paper reports, "first over the controversial decision to resume U.S. beef imports, and more recently for its ineptitude in economic policies. The watershed moment came in January when police arrested Park Dae-sung, a blogger known more widely as 'Minerva' and a frequent critic of the government's economic polices, on charges of 'deliberately' undermining public interest by distributing fraudulent information."
Google Provides an Alternative Method for Uploads
In response to the new legislation, Google has decided they would rather prevent uploads and comments instead of requiring YouTube users to submit their real names and national ID number - a number similar to the United State's Social Security Number and yet another requirement of the new law.
"We have a bias in favor of freedom of expression and are committed to openness," said Lucinda Barlow, a spokeswoman for YouTube in Asia. "It's very important that if users want to be anonymous that they have that chance."
Another Google spokesperson, Rachel Whetstone, vice president of Global Communications & Public Affairs at Google, was quoted in The Hankyoreh newspaper as saying "we concluded in the end that it is impossible to provide benefits to internet users while observing this country's law because the law does not fall in line with Google's principles."
In addition to blocking uploads and comments, Google informed Korean YouTube users via their Korean Google blog that they can change their preference setting to a country other than Korea if they want to continue to upload and comment on videos.
An Easy Way for Google to Look Good?
If Google had complied with the law, it would have represented the first time that the company had ever collected the actual names of internet users.
Still, while many are congratulating Google on taking a stand and protecting freedom of expression on the internet, in this case the company wasn't really risking that much. That's because in Korea, Google has a much smaller presence than its domestic counterparts like www.naver.com and www.daum.net. Let's see how the company behaves in countries where they have a much larger market share.
Image credit: Asiajin
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Google has done the right thing!
Thank You..
Google took a good step in making a response regarding this new law governed in Korea.
Good work Google. Much better than the screw up with the Chinese e-mail a few years ago.
check this out
http://flybizs.com/pages/index.php?refid=emmanuelmac
It's a very bold move of google, but I think it is the right one. Is it more because of Korean Cyber spying ambitions or lobbying by movie and recording industry?
Maybe if people were forced to post with their real name there would be much less crap out there.
Just wait until Korea starts to fine Google everyday it's non-compliant. Either that or they just block Google entirely.
Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke said on Tuesday that there were initial signs that the prolonged US recession may be easing but
warned of the need for financial stability for full recovery.
He said he saw "tentative signs that the sharp decline in economic activity may be slowing," citing data on home sales, homebuilding and consumer spending, including sales of new motor vehicles.
While a leveling out of economic activity was the first step toward recovery, he said, "To be sure, we will not have a sustainable recovery without a stabilization of our financial system and credit markets.
"We are making progress on that front as well, and the Federal Reserve is committed to working to restore financial stability as a necessary step toward full economic recovery," he said in a speech at the Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia.
A more in-depth coverage on this issue:
http://technokimchi.com/entry/Google-thanks-for-not-being-evil-Yes-youre-real-big
"everything's fine guys, everybody just lie, alright?
change your preferences to a nation that's not yours.
just like you were forced to before in other wars."
YouTube imposes ideas on Korea
at the same time saying "don't post yours, either!"
that's some hypocritical political bull
and after 8 years of Bush I'm full
to hear me rap my full opinion, watch:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCCm_PTpnPM
I'm shame on my country!!
thanksssss
South Korea is a United States Stooge government. They are just like there cousins to the north. The last thing in the world Korans want is FREEDOM!Good work Google!
And I thought that South Korea is very modern, rapidly developing country. Maybe they miss the old times after all? That was a very good move from Google.
Have you seen Korean version of Google? It looks somewhat 'more advanced'. Can someone explain why is that?
Very intuitive system. However, it may yet be a little confusing. I will keep visiting this blog very often. After this I will read all your posts thankful.